Roadside Drug Testing – an intrusion of civil liberties
Updated 19 April, 2026
The section below outlines some of the issues around the Land Transport Roadside 3S Drugwipe drug tests and saliva kits.
WHY THIS TEST IS INSULTING TO NEW ZEALANDERS
This is a test that coerces compliance, does not test for impairment, it has a false-positive and false-negative readings track record, and it will disrupt the lives of many law-abiding New Zealanders simply for refusing to comply with something they do not trust, or for taking prescription medicine drugs that happen to be on a list of banned substances.
With the amount of deaths attributed to drug impairment (about 100) vs. the number of licensed New Zealand drivers (3.5 million) and international visiting drivers (2.5 million) driving in New Zealand every year, the chances on any given day of somebody unimpaired causing an accident due to drug impairment are ridiculously low. The punishment government policy inflicts for a positive test or non-compliance is completely imbalanced and unjustified.
And this drug testing policy, coming from politicians who, on average, take home more than 8 times the income of the poorest 50% of adult New Zealanders and that is before member of parliament accommodation and travel perks kick in.
The 3S Drugwipe test by Securetec was first approved for release in March 2015 and has a known false-positive and negative track record that has produced unwarranted problems for innocent motorists from over the last 10 plus years. It is also a 'presence' test and not an 'impairment test', making the results of these particular tests meaningless when it comes to aligning with the Minister of Transport's objectives.
Road deaths account for about 1% of all deaths per year, and while any road death is not a good death, we need some context around it.
There are some 3.5 million licenced drivers in New Zealand and an extra 2 plus million international visitors per year who opt to drive by vehicle while travelling in the country.
Therefore out of some 6 million drivers on the roads in New Zealand each year, 100 deaths could be related to some form of drug impairment but not necessarily. 'Presence' is tested for, but not impairment.
The primary factors weighed up in road driving fatalities have been noted as Driver age, lack of sleep, and smart devices or screens (see the 16 minute, 43 second mark in the video)
COVID-19 CAUSED LOSS OF TRUST IN POLICE AND GOVERNMENT
2020 was the year of COVID-19 and eventually, the COVID vaccine - where millions of New Zealanders were coerced into taking an experimental drug in order to maintain their employment and access to restaurants and places of recreation.
What the New Zealand Government have failed to acknowledge is that those who were marginalised at the time for not complying, or those who did comply and ended up getting sick, or worse - have reached a point where they will not trust any government directive whatsoever, especially one that requires they place a government sanctioned device with chemical reagents, into their mouth.
A PURPOSEFUL AND TARGETED PUNISHMENT?
Refusal of the Roadside drug test is an instant fine of $400 dollars and 75 demerit points. If one were to hold the Government to previous discriminatory behaviour (see COVID-19), it can be argued that this roadside drug test is not about keeping New Zealand's roads safe, but about pinpointing those who have very little or no trust in Government, and finding a way to punish them and diminish their freedom by restricting their mobility.
Roadside drug testing (Oral Fluid Testing) is
being implemented in New Zealand by Police, with a full nationwide rollout expected by mid-2026. It allows officers to randomly test for the presence o
f four key drugs: THC (cannabis), methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and cocaine.
- The Test: A rapid screening device (tongue swipe) is used, taking about 10 minutes to produce results.
- Positive Result: If the initial test is positive, a second, identical test is conducted. If the second test is also positive, you will be barred from driving for 12 hours.
- Evidential Sample: If positive, a further saliva sample is collected and sent to a laboratory to test for 25 different 'qualifying drugs'.
- Negative Result: If the initial test is negative, you are generally free to go.
The roadside tests are designed to detect recent use rather than just historical consumption. Estimated detection windows for saliva tests can vary, but generally include:
- THC (Cannabis): Up to 12 hours (infrequent users) to 72 hours (frequent users).
- MDMA (Ecstasy): 2–4 days.
- Methamphetamine: 1–4 days.
- Cocaine: 12–48 hours.
- Infringement Notice: If a lab test confirms the presence of drugs above specified thresholds, you will receive an infringement notice, which carries a $200 fine and 50 demerit points (for one drug) or a $400 fine and 75 demerit points (for two or more drugs).
- Refusal: Refusing a test results in an immediate 12-hour ban, a $400 fine, and 75 demerit points.
- Criminal Charges: A blood test may be required if you are involved in an accident, fail a Compulsory Impairment Test (CIT), or are unable to provide a saliva sample. A failed blood test can lead to criminal charges, including potential imprisonment or a fine of up to $4,500.
- Prescriptions: A medical defence is available if you have a valid prescription and took the medication as directed, but this applies after an infringement notice is issued, not at the roadside.
- Driving ban: Even with a prescription, if you fail the roadside saliva tests, you will still be banned from driving for 12 hours.
- ADHD Medication: Police have stated that the roadside screening devices do not test for amphetamines, so medications like Ritalin or Concerta should not trigger a positive result at the roadside.
- Medicinal Cannabis: Most medicinal cannabis containing THC will test positive on a roadside test. CBD-only products will not.
- No "Good Cause" Needed: Police can test any driver at any time without needing to suspect impairment first.
- Carrying Prescriptions: While having your prescription in the car is good practice, it will not prevent a 12-hour stand-down if you test positive, but it is necessary for the medical defence process later.
- Impairment vs. Presence: The test measures the presence of the drug in your saliva, not whether you are currently impaired by it.
Quotes by Transport Minister Chris Bishop on the need for roadside drug testing:
“Drug-impaired drivers are a menace on New Zealand roads,” Mr Bishop says.
“Around 30 per cent of all road deaths now involve an impairing drug. If you take drugs and drive, you’re putting innocent lives at risk – and we will not tolerate it.
“Our Government is committed to improving road safety, and that includes holding dangerous, drugged-up drivers to account. Rolling out roadside drug testing is a practical step towards safer roads and fewer tragedies.”
Question: The minister says that “Rolling out roadside drug testing is a practical step towards safer roads and fewer tragedies” but he has chosen a test (by Manufacturer Securetec) that does not test for impairment but only presence, and the test does not reveal how long that presence has been around for. For context, presence could have been for days when impairment for driving may only be for a few hours.
Bishop also says “Around 30 percent of all road deaths now involve an impairing drug” – but how much of those deaths were actually due to impairment?
The Numbers
If there were 340 road deaths in 2025, that would mean just over 100 deaths had a drug (deemed potentially impairing) in the system at time of death. There are 3.5 million licenced drivers in New Zealand and about 2.5 million tourists driving in New Zealand every year.
COST
The Government spend… (to be continued)